NEW YORK, April 26, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --Rover.com, an online marketplace that connects dog owners with local dog sitters as an affordable, cage-free alternative to traditional kennels, announced the launch of its Sit a Dog, Save a Life™ Program today.

Sit a Dog, Save a Life™ enables Rover.com sitters to donate all, or a portion of their dog-sitting proceeds, to dog-related charities that have signed up to participate in the program.  In the New York area, Rover.com has partnered with PAWS NY and Animal Haven.  Other partners include VolunteerMatch and RedRover.

"From the beginning, Rover.com has been committed to the mission of providing all dogs with real, loving homes while their families travel," said Aaron Easterly, CEO of Rover.com. "Through our Sit a Dog, Save a Life™ program, we are able to help dogs who may not yet have a permanent home or whose families may need extra support to keep their pets at home." 

Dog owners using Rover.com to find a sitter in their area can identify Sit a Dog, Save a Life™ participants by a badge on the sitter's profile. Rover.com has already signed up hundreds of participating dog-sitters in anticipation of today's launch. 

Jacqueline Rivera, a Rover.com sitter located in New York, has recently joined the program and has already donated a portion of her earnings to PAWS NY. "Rover.com's Sit a Dog, Save a Life™ program makes it easy for me to help local dogs in need while doing something I love, and that I do anyway," said Rivera.

Rover.com has partnered with VolunteerMatch, the web's largest volunteer engagement network, as a giving option for sitters who elect to donate through the Sit a Dog, Save a Life™ program.  "We're delighted that Rover.com members can now help make a difference for our network of animal shelters and other dog-related nonprofits," said Robert Rosenthal, Vice President of Communications and Marketing at VolunteerMatch.

Earlier this month, Rover.com announced the closing of a $3.4 million round of Series A funding, and the launch of its national roll-out.  The Rover.com community has surpassed 15,000 members.

About Rover.com
Rover.com is an online marketplace that connects dog owners with local dog sitters and real homes in hundreds of cities across the United States. To learn more, go to www.Rover.com.

About PAWS NY
PAWS NY is a nonprofit organization providing pet care assistance to individuals in New York City who find themselves unable to care for their pets due to circumstances such as illness, job loss, physical limitations, age, or other crisis.

About Animal Haven
Animal Haven is a nonprofit organization that finds homes for abandoned cats and dogs throughout the Tri-State area and provides behavior intervention when needed to improve chances of adoption.  Founded in 1967, Animal Haven operates an adoption center in Manhattan and mobile adoption van. The organization also provides programs that enhance the bond between animals and people.
Animal Haven is a 501 (c) 3 organization.

About VolunteerMatch
VolunteerMatch is the Web's largest volunteer engagement network, with more than 80,000 participating nonprofits, 150 network partners and eight million visitors each year. Founded in 1998, VolunteerMatch offers solutions to make it easier for individuals, nonprofits and companies to make a difference. Since its launch, VolunteerMatch has helped nonprofits attract more than $2 billion worth of volunteer services. VolunteerMatch is a two-time Webby Award winner, a Smithsonian inductee, and has been recognized for its work by The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, CNN, Time, Oprah Winfrey and Presidents Clinton and Bush.

About RedRover
RedRover, formerly United Animal Nations, focuses on bringing animals out of crisis and strengthening the bond between people and animals through a variety of programs, including emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance and education.

Contact:
Shanthi Barton
Vice President, Marketing
shanthi@rover.com
206-351-2011

SOURCE Rover.com